A certain “foreshadowing” that finally paid off after 10 years.
—After hearing everything so far, I realize there was another long story leading up to the two of them meeting, wasn’t there?
Wakaba:That’s right. Actually, the mutual friend we were just talking about used to have a huge crush on Ms. Aoyagi—romantically speaking. I’ve been listening to his concerns ever since back then. I was even with him the night he confessed to Ms. Aoyagi and got rejected. That’s when I wrote a song called “Fumiko” for him.
Aoyagi:I heard that song for the first time the other day—after more than 10 years. It was an absolutely amazing song.
Wakaba:There are about two songs. There’s even one called “I Like Fumiko’s Front Teeth” (laughs). I was given the idea and made to write it—a love song for someone I’ve never even met.
Aoyagi:The story he told about our date really left a strong impression on me.
Wakaba:When we went to the aquarium, Mr. Aoyagi and a friend were standing across from each other, separated by a thin glass tank, and it seems the jellyfish were floating gently by. Apparently, he pretended to be looking at the jellyfish but was actually staring at Mr. Aoyagi the whole time. Then Ms. Aoyagi popped her head out from the side of the tank and said, “Jellyfish are cute, aren’t they?” Her face was the cutest in the world, and he apparently thought, “You’re the one who’s cute” (laughs).
Aoyagi:But he was so nervous that he didn't say a single word. I was the only one talking the whole time during the date. On top of that, he showed up wearing a blue tracksuit.
Wakaba:Back then, everything was still new to him. He once told me that as the two of them were walking down the stairs together, a faint scent wafted from Ms. Aoyagi when she took off her coat—and that’s when he felt dizzy and fell in love (laughs). And now he’s already 35. He’s really grown up.
—So Wakaba had been listening the whole time as Aoyagi talked about someone she’d never even met—someone from over 10 years ago.
Wakaba:That's right. I'd been hearing stories about Ms. Aoyagi from him for a long time, and the way he described her was so emotional. So when I actually saw my friend and Ms. Aoyagi talking together, I was moved—I thought, "I finally get to see them together."
Aoyagi:Long-term friendships are really great, aren't they? It's nice to have a friend who's always there to watch over your love life.
Wakaba:I wasn't rooting for them. I was just having fun with it (laughs). That's why I'm glad this project came together.
The photo of Ms. Aoyagi taken by Ms. Wakaba is
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